Uncanny X-Men #172 (Aug 83): Scarlet in GloryCreative Team: Chris Claremont, writer; Paul Smith, penciler; Bob Wiacek, inker; Glynis Wein, colorist; Tom Orzechowski, letterer; Louise Jones, editor; Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief
Starting Line Up: Storm, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Colossus, Sprite, Rogue
Guest Star: Havok
In New Mutants #6:
Karma tries to gain help from Gen. Coy, her crime-lord uncle; Team America recovers the crystal Viper wants from an AIM fortress in Mexico; the New Mutants rescue Psyche; and a mysterious assailant "claims" Karma, body and soul, forever.
NOTE: In the Wolverine mini-series, Wolverine travels to Japan, where we discover he is a ronin.. Mariko Yashida's father turned out to be a Yakuza crime boss, and her half-brother is the Silver Samurai, next in line to take over the family (with his lover, Viper). Wolverine, with help from his old pal (and possibly ex-lover) Yukio, another ronin, battle the Samurai and kill Mariko's father. The family leadership falls to Mariko instead of Samurai. Mariko plans to rid her family name of crime. Wolverine and Mariko become engaged.
Synopsis: The X-Men arrive in Japan for Wolverine's wedding. Wolverine has the same aprehensions about Rogue as the rest of the team, but realises he was felt about the same way once. They are being watched by the Silver Samurai. He is sneak attacked by Yukio. Wolverine hears the battle and has Nightcrawler teleport him next door. The join Yukio in the battle, but Samurai teleports away. Yukio makes a hasty exit. As she jumps rooftop to rooftop, she slips and starts to fall, but is caught by Storm. Storm is amazed by Yukio's carefree attitude and fearlessness. Back ay the Yashida home, Storm explains Silver Samurai's role in the current New Mutants storyline, while Wolverine explains the importance in his mini-series (in case you didn't read them). Kitty is quietly reminded of Wolverine's killer nature. Mariko is summoned to a private meeting by Samurai. She tells no one she if leaving and has her maid tell people she is asleep. Viper invades the home and takes the place of the maid. She serves the X-Men tea. Storm and Wolverine sense the change in each other. Wolverine starts to explain his new found hapiness when he realises the tea is poisoned. Storm is the only one who didn't drink and the rest pass out. Mariko gets in her private car, but her driver has been replaced by Yukio. In Alaska, Cyclops is going throuh Madelyn Pryor's personel file. Havok finds him and explains the two have an uncanny ressemblance and that's it. Cyclops isn't so sure. She seems to know too much about him for a person he just met and he found out that Madelyn's crash happened at the exact MOMENT of Jean's death. Back in Tokyo, Mariko arrives at the private meeting with Silver Samurai. Viper is present as is Nabatone Yokuse, to mediate. Samurai belives the family should have been left to him. Mariko refuses to serve any Yakuza lords. Samurai tries to attack Mariko. Nobatone allows it since he realises that Mariko is a fake. It is indeed actually Yukio. Yukio battles Samurai while Viper goes to find the real Mariko. She checks the car but is blown back and knocked unconscious by Storm. Storm tries to help Yukio, but her powers go wild again and she electrocuts Samurai pretty bad. She also sets explosives on fire. Yukio shoves Storm into the bay just as the warehouse goes up in flames. In the midst of the slames, Storm sees the firebird image of the Phoenix. Storm is stuned while Yukio is having the time of her life. Samurai and Viper also survived and Samurai vows to kill Yukio after he kills his half-sister. Nabatone watches on as Storm and Yukio escape. In the hospital, the X-Men have been given an entire ward to themselves. Wolverine's healing factor and Rogue's Ms Marvel powers have allowed them to recover while the rest of the X-Men are in critical condition. Wolverine leaves to get revenge, but Rogue wants to come along. He says no until she begs for a chance to prove herself. Wolverine allows her to come as long as she follows his every word.
Yeah, but is it good? I think my synopsis came off a little confusing. The actual story isn't that bad, but it really does help if you've read the Wolverine mini-series, I'm sure. The X-Men fighting the Japanese underworld is interesting, but, like the X-Men in space, it's not something I'd want to read very often. But the X-Men's adventures in Japan do come up from time to time after this. The part of this story that has the greatest importance is Storm's powers continuing to go out of control and her newfound admiration of Yukio. Had this story been written today, they'd probably become lesbians, but in 1983, the admiration takes a different route as we'll see. Rogue really didn't do anything all issue until asking Wolverine if she could tag along at the end. Oh well. She's got a bigger role next issue. And our series of weird events continue... Maddy's crash and knowledge of Cyclops... and Storm seeing the Phoenix effect. There's a master plan of some sort afoot.
Signicata: Storm starts to admire Yukio. Storm's powers continue to get out of control. Storm sees the Phoenix sign. Cyclops wonders if there's something more to Madelyn Pryor.
